Is surgery ever needed for acute pancreatitis?

Surgery is rarely needed unless there is a gallstone causing a blockage of the bile and pancreatic duct (the passageway that brings the pancreatic enzymes and the enzymes in the bile down to the small intestine where they digest or breakdown the food). Sometimes, the stone can be removed with a scope. Other times, surgery is needed. 

In the much rarer situation, surgery is needed when part of the pancreas has been almost completely destroyed.